Syringe

ABSTRACT

A syringe includes a syringe outer tube including: a tubular-shaped outer tube main body, a reduced diameter section projecting from a distal end of the outer tube main body, and having a distal end opening that is configured to discharge the liquid from the outer tube main body through the reduced diameter section, and a lock adapter concentrically disposed at an outer circumferential portion of the reduced diameter section and configured to be fixed to a mating member; and a cap mounted on the syringe outer tube and including: a cap main body sealing the reduced diameter section in a liquid-tight manner, the cap main body comprising: a base portion including an opening, and a projection projecting into the opening, and a sealing member disposed in the opening, wherein the projection of the base portion contacts a distal end surface of the sealing member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application filed under 35 U.S.C.111(a) claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § § 120 of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/497,544, filed Sep. 26, 2014, which is a is acontinuation application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) claiming thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. § § 120 and 365(c) of PCT InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2013/057192, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, which isbased upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese ApplicationNo. 2012-073040, filed on Mar. 28, 2012, the entire contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a syringe.

Background Art

A prefilled syringe in which a sterilized syringe outer tube is filledwith a liquid product in an aseptic manner is known (see, for example,WO 2011/108574 A). The prefilled syringe disclosed in WO 2011/108574 Aincludes: the syringe outer tube having a spout through which the liquidproduct is ejected, and a lock adapter rotatably supported at the spout;and a cap mounted on the spout of the syringe outer tube. Also, the capincludes a cap main body that seals the spout in a liquid-tight manner,a mounting section disposed on a proximal end side of the cap main bodyand mounted on an outer circumferential portion of the spout, and abreaking section that links the cap main body with the mounting sectionand can release the link by breaking.

In this cap, the cap main body is rotated around an axis of the syringeouter tube with respect to the mounting section, thereby breaking thebreaking section to separate the cap main body from the mountingsection. Further, the cap main body that has been once separated fromthe mounting section cannot be mounted again on the spout, in otherwords, the cap main body is configured incapable of recapping the spout.This makes it possible to avoid using the prefilled syringe once openederroneously, deeming the prefilled syringe as in the unused state.

However, there is a case in the prefilled syringe disclosed in WO2011/108574 A, where stress that may exceed a breaking limit of thebreak section breakage is generated at the breaking section whenexternal force is applied to the cap main body at the time of transport,for example. In this case, there is a problem in that the breakingsection is undesirably broken.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide asyringe which is excellent in tamperproofness and capable of preventinga breaking section from undesirable breakage.

The above object is implemented by embodiments of the present invention.According to one embodiment, a syringe includes: a syringe outer tubeincluding a tubular-shaped outer tube main body configured to be filledwith liquid, a reduced diameter section provided at a distal end portionof the outer tube main body in a projecting manner, through which theliquid is passed, and having an outside diameter more reduced than theouter tube main body, and a ring-shaped lock adapter concentricallydisposed at an outer circumferential portion of the reduced diametersection and configured to fix a mating member connected to the reduceddiameter section; and a cap including a cap main body mounted on thesyringe outer tube and configured to seal the reduced diameter sectionin a liquid-tight manner when the cap main body is in a mounted state, aring-shaped mounting section disposed at a proximal end side of the capmain body and mounted on an outer circumferential portion of the lockadapter, and a breaking section that links the cap main body with themounting section and is capable of releasing the link by breakage. Thecap main body includes a ring portion formed on the proximal end side ina projecting manner, and in the mounted state, the ring portion ispositioned between the reduced diameter section and the lock adapterand/or on the outer circumferential side of the lock adapter in aloosely-fitted state.

In one aspect, the cap main body includes a plate-like sealing memberconfigured to seal the reduced diameter section in a liquid-tight mannerin the mounted state, and the cap main body cannot be mounted again onthe syringe outer tube once separated from the mounting section bybreakage of the breaking section.

In one aspect, the ring portion includes an inner ring formed on theproximal end side in a projecting manner, and in the mounted state, theinner ring is positioned between the reduced diameter section and thelock adapter in a loosely-fitted state.

In one aspect, the inner ring is formed up to vicinity of a proximal endportion of the lock adapter in a projecting manner.

In one aspect, a separation distance between the inner ring and thereduced diameter section in a radial direction is larger than aseparation distance between the inner ring and the lock adapter in aradial direction.

In one aspect, the ring portion includes an outer ring formed on theproximal end side in a projecting manner and linked with the mountingsection via the breaking section, and in the mounted state, the outerring is positioned on the outer circumferential side of the lock adapterin a loosely-fitted state.

In one aspect, the ring portion includes an inner ring and an outer ringformed on the proximal end side in a projecting manner andconcentrically disposed, and in the mounted state, the inner ring ispositioned between the reduced diameter section and the lock adapter ina loosely-fitted state and also the outer ring is positioned on theouter circumferential side of the lock adapter in a loosely-fittedstate.

In one aspect, the breaking section is configured to be broken byrotating the cap main body and the mounting section in relativelyopposing directions around an axis of the reduced diameter section, andthe mounting section includes a rotation restricting section configuredto restrict the lock adapter from rotating around the axis.

In one aspect, the syringe includes a movement restricting sectionconfigured to restrict the mounting section from moving in a proximalend direction when the cap main body is separated from the mountingsection by breakage of the breaking section.

In one aspect, the outer tube main body is preliminarily charged withliquid.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the mountedstate in which the cap main body is mounted on the syringe outer tube,the inner ring is positioned between the reduced diameter section andthe lock adapter in the loosely-fitted state and also the outer ringpositioned outside the lock adapter in the loosely-fitted state.Further, even when the breaking section is broken to separate the capmain body from the mounting section and an attempt is made to mount thecap main body again on the syringe outer tube, the cap main body cannotbe mounted again because of this loosely-fitted state. Consequently, thereduced diameter section of the syringe outer tube is surely preventedfrom being sealed again with the cap main body, which makes it possibleto easily confirm that the syringe has already been unsealed. Thus, thesyringe is excellent in tamperproofness, and the unsealed syringe issurely prevented from being used by mistake.

Additionally, for example, when an external force is applied to the capmain body at the time of transporting the syringe or the like, the capmain body is tilted relative to the axis of the syringe outer tube andstress that may exceeds the breaking limit of the breaking sectionbreakage is likely to be generated at the breaking section. However, theinner ring and outer ring of the cap main body contact the reduceddiameter section and the lock adapter, thereby achieving to prevent orsuppress the above mentioned stress from being generated. This preventsthe breaking section from undesirable breakage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional side view illustratinga syringe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion on a distal end sideof the syringe illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a state in which the syringeillustrated in FIG. 1 is unsealed.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a positional relationship between a lockadapter of a syringe outer tube and a mounting section of a cap in aprocess of unsealing operation at the syringe according to an embodimentof the present invention (second embodiment).

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a positional relationship between the lockadapter of the syringe outer tube and the mounting section of the cap inthe process of unsealing operation at the syringe according to anembodiment of the present invention (second embodiment).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A syringe according to certain embodiments of the present invention willbe described in detail below based on preferred embodiments illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional side view illustratinga syringe according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG.2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion on a distal end side ofthe syringe illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along a line A-A in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view takenalong a line B-B in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a statein which the syringe illustrated in FIG. 1 is unsealed; FIG. 6 is across-sectional view taken along a line C-C in FIG. 5. Incidentally, inthe following, the right side in FIGS. 1 to 6 (same in FIGS. 7 and 8)will be referred to as a “proximal end,” and the left side as a “distalend” for convenience of description. Further, in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, afilled liquid product is omitted.

A syringe 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a prefilled syringe, which includesa syringe outer tube (hereafter referred to simply as “outer tube”) 2, agasket 3 disposed inside the outer tube 2 so as to be slidable along thelongitudinal direction of the outer tube 2, a plunger 4 for moving thegasket 3, and a cap 5 mounted on a distal end portion of the outer tube2. Further, a space 24 surrounded by the outer tube 2 and the gasket 3is prefilled with liquid such as a liquid product 200. The cap 5includes a cap main body 7, a mounting section 8 disposed on a proximalend side of the cap main body 7, and a breaking section 9 that has afunction to link the cap main body 7 with the mounting section 8.

The outer tube 2 includes an outer tube main body 21 having a tubularshape, a reduced diameter section 22 provided at a distal end portion ofthe outer tube main body 21 in a projecting manner and having an outsidediameter and an inner diameter more reduced than the outer tube mainbody 21, and a lock adapter 6 disposed at an outer circumferentialportion of the reduced diameter section 22.

The reduced diameter section 22 is integrally formed with the outer tubemain body 21. The liquid product 200 passes through the reduced diametersection 22 and is discharged via a distal end opening 221 of the reduceddiameter section 22. In the outer tube 2, a spout 20 of the outer tube 2is formed of the reduced diameter section 22 and the lock adapter 6whereby a mating member connected to the reduced diameter section 22 islocked. Incidentally, the lock adapter 6 will be described later.Additionally, the mating member to be connected to the reduced diametersection 22 is not specifically limited, but examples of the matingmember include a connector disposed at an end or an intermediate portionof a tube, a mouth portion of an infusion bag, and a hub of an injectionneedle.

The gasket 3 has an elastic body having a cylindrical shape, and hasprojections 31 and 32 each having an outside diameter of an outercircumferential portion thereof enlarged. The projections 31 and 32 aredisposed separately along an axial direction. Further, the projections31 and 32 slide while keeping close contact with an innercircumferential surface 211 of the outer tube main body 21, therebysecurely maintaining gas-tightness (liquid-tightness) of the space 24and achieving to enhance slidability of the gasket 3.

The plunger 4 is formed of a long member and has a distal end portionthereof screw-engaged with the gasket 3. At the time of discharging theliquid product 200, the plunger 4 is pushed in the distal direction,thereby causing the gasket 3 to push out the liquid product 200 from thereduced diameter section 22 and achieving to easily discharge the liquidproduct.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the lock adapter 6 constituting thespout 20 of the outer tube 2 is ring-shaped, and concentrically disposedat the outer circumferential portion of the reduced diameter section 22.The lock adapter 6 is for locking the mating member connected to thereduced diameter section 22.

In addition, the lock adapter 6 is supported movable with respect to thereduced diameter section 22 in the axial direction thereof, butrestricted from rotating around the axis. For example, according to aconfiguration illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, such a restrictingconfiguration may include a plurality of projections 61 formed on aproximal end inner circumferential portion of the lock adapter 6 in aprojecting manner, and recessed portions 222 formed at a proximal end ofthe outer circumferential portion of the reduced diameter section 22,and each of the projections 61 is inserted into each of the recessedportions 222.

At an outer circumferential portion 62 of the lock adapter 6, a pair ofgrooves 63 is formed along the axial direction at opposed positionsinterposing an axis (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Each of the grooves 63 is aportion into which each of projections 81 of the mounting section 8 ofthe cap 5 described later is inserted respectively.

Further, each of the grooves 63 is formed with a crest portion 630having an inclined distal end side surface and a vertical proximal endside surface in a middle of the groove formed direction (axialdirection). When the cap 5 is pushed toward the outer tube 2 from thedistal end side at the time of mounting the cap 5 on the spout 20 of theouter tube 2, the projections 81 of the mounting section 8 are firstinserted into the distal end side of the grooves 63, and then movedalong a distal end side surface of the crest portion 630, riding overthe crest portion 630, and finally are inserted into the proximal endside of the grooves 63.

Thus, when the cap 5 is pushed into the outer tube 2, the cap 5 iseasily mounted on the lock adapter 6 (see FIG. 2). Then, in this state,the liquid product 200 can be filled from the proximal end side of theouter tube 2.

Incidentally, once the projections 81 are inserted into the proximal endside of the groove 63, the distal-end side surfaces of the projections81 contact the proximal end side surfaces of the crest portions 630 eventhough an attempt is made to move the cap 5 in a direction away from theouter tube 2 (distal end direction). Consequently, further movement ofthe cap 5 toward the distal end side is restricted. In other words, theprojections 81 and the crest portions 630 constitute a distal enddirection movement restricting section whereby the mounting section 8 isrestricted from moving in a direction to the distal end of the lockadapter 6.

Further, two ribs 66 are formed in a projecting manner on the proximalend side of the outer circumferential portion 62 of the lock adapter 6along a circumferential direction thereof. The ribs 66 contact theproximal end of the mounting section 8 that has been unsealed (afterbreakage of the breaking section 9 described later) and movement of themounting section in the proximal end direction is restricted. In otherwords, according to the present embodiment, the ribs 66 constitute aproximal end direction movement restricting section (movementrestricting section) whereby the mounting section 8 that has beenunsealed is restricted from moving in a proximal end direction of thelock adapter 6.

By thus providing the distal end direction movement restricting sectionand the proximal end direction movement restricting section, themounting section 8 after breakage is prevented from moving in the axialdirection with respect to the lock adapter 6, and collision soundbetween the mounting section 8 and the lock adapter 6 due to movementthereof can be prevented.

Additionally, on the outer circumferential portion 62 of the lockadapter 6, two projections 67 are formed in a projecting manner alongthe axial direction on the more distal end side than the ribs 66.Furthermore, on an inner circumferential portion of the mounting section8, grooves 82 into which respective projections 67 are inserted areformed in a recessing manner along the axial direction. The respectiveprojections 67 are inserted into the corresponding grooves 82 while thecap 5 is mounted on the lock adapter 6. Further, as described above, therespective projections 81 of the mounting section 8 are inserted intothe corresponding grooves 63 of the lock adapter 6.

With the above-described configuration, the mounting section 8 (cap 5)can be restricted from rotating around the axis of the lock adapter 6.In other words, according to the present embodiment, a rotationrestricting section is formed by combining the projections 67 of thelock adapter 6 with the grooves 82 of the mounting section 8 andcombining the grooves 63 of the lock adapter 6 with the projections 81of the mounting section 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 (same in FIG. 4), a female screw 65 is formedon an inner circumferential portion of the lock adapter 6. In the casewhere the mating member has a male screw, the female screw 65 can bescrew-engaged with the male screw. By this screw engagement, the outertube 2 and the mating member are surely connected to each other.

The materials constituting the outer tube 2 and the plunger 4 are notspecifically limited, but examples of the materials include variousresins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate,and cyclic polyolefin.

In addition, the material constituting the gasket 3 is not particularlylimited, but examples of the material include various rubber materials(especially, vulcanized ones) such as natural rubber, isoprene rubber,butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, siliconerubber, fluororubber, and also include various thermoplastic elastomer,which may be used either singly or as a mixture of two or more thereof.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the cap 5 is mounted on the spout 20of the outer tube 2 when the syringe 1 is in an unused state (hereafter,this state will be referred to as “mounted state”). Incidentally, in thecase where the syringe 1 in this mounted state is used, the cap 5 (capmain body 7) can be rotated and unsealed (see FIG. 5).

As described above, the cap 5 includes the cap main body 7, the mountingsection 8 disposed on the proximal end side of the cap main body 7, andthe breaking section 9 which has the function to link the cap main body7 with the mounting section 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The cap main body 7 includes a disk-shaped base portion 71, a sealingmember 72 disposed inside the base portion 71, a grip section 73provided on a distal end side of the base portion 71, and a ring portion76 provided on the proximal end side of the base portion 71.

At the base portion 71, a recessed portion 711 open to a proximal endsurface is formed and the sealing member 72 is pressed (fitted) into therecessed portion 711. The sealing member 72 is configured to seal thedistal end opening 221 of the reduced diameter section 22 constitutingthe spout 20 in a liquid-tight manner. The sealing member 72 is formedof a disk-shaped elastic body.

Further, on a bottom surface (distal end surface) of the recessedportion 711, a ring-shaped projection 712 contacting the sealing member72 is formed. With this configuration, in the mounted state, the sealingmember 72 is compressed between the projection 712 and the distal endsurface of the reduced diameter section 22 of the outer tube 2.Therefore, liquid-tightness at the distal end opening 221 of the reduceddiameter section 22 is surely maintained. Further, the thus compressedsealing member 72 biases the cap main body 7 in a distal end directionby own elastic force. This biasing force assists the separation at thetime of separating the cap main body 7 from the mounting section 8.

The grip section 73 is a portion to be gripped when the cap main body 7is rotated to unseal the cap 5. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, thegrip section 73 has a plate-like (flat) shape and formed to be easilygripped.

Further, on the proximal end side of the base portion 71, the ringportion 76 is formed in a projecting manner. The ring portion 76includes an inner ring 74 formed along an opening edge of the recessedportion 711 of the base portion 71, and an outer ring 75 formed so as tosurround an outer circumferential portion of the inner ring 74. In otherwords, the ring portion 76 includes the inner ring 74 and the outer ring75 concentrically disposed. Incidentally, the outer ring has a proximalend portion thereof connected to the mounting section 8 via the breakingsection 9.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the mounted state, the inner ring 74is positioned between the reduced diameter section 22 of the outer tube2 and the lock adapter 6 in a loosely-fitted state, and also the outerring 75 is positioned outside the lock adapter 6 in the loosely-fittedstate. In other words, in the mounted state, the reduced diametersection 22 is inserted into the inside of the inner ring 74 in theloosely-fitted state, and the distal end portion of the lock adapter 6is inserted between the inner ring 74 and the outer ring 75 in theloosely-fitted state. Here, “loosely-fitted state” indicates anon-contact state, or indicates a line contact state or a point contactstate even in the case of contacting.

Because of this loosely-fitted state, when external force is applied tothe grip section 73 of the cap 5 and an entire portion of the cap mainbody 7 is going to be tilted toward the axis of the syringe 1 (movedlaterally) at the time of transporting the syringe 1, for example, theinner ring 74 contacts the outer circumferential portion of the reduceddiameter section 22 and the inner circumferential portion of the lockadapter 6, and the outer ring 75 contacts the outer circumferentialportion of the lock adapter 6. This can prevent the cap main body 7 fromunnecessary tilting movement to the axis of the syringe 1. In the casewhere the cap main body 7 is tilted, stress that may exceed the breakinglimit of the breaking section 9 breakage may be generated at thebreaking section 9. However, since the unnecessary tilting of the capmain body 7 is prevented, it is possible to prevent or suppress thestress from being generated. This can preferably prevent undesirablebreakage of the breaking section 9, namely, prevents the cap main body 7from undesirably being separated from the mounting section 8.

The inner ring 74 is, preferably, formed up to the vicinity of theproximal end portion of the lock adapter 6. This allows the proximal endportion of the inner ring 74 to contact the outer circumferentialportion of the reduced diameter section 22 and the inner circumferentialportion of the lock adapter 6 only when the entire portion of the capmain body 7 is slightly tilted relative to the axis of the syringe 1.This can minimize a tolerable range of the unnecessary tilting of thecap main body 7, and therefore, undesirable breakage of the breakingsection 9 can be more surely prevented.

The inner ring 74 has an inside diameter ϕd₁ and an outside diameter ϕd₂which are gradually increased in the proximal end directioncorresponding to the shape of the reduced diameter section 22. Thiskeeps a thickness t₁ of the inner ring 74 substantially constant alongthe axial direction of the reduced diameter section 22. Thus, since thethickness t₁ (=(ϕd₂−ϕd₁)/2) of the inner ring 74 is kept substantiallyconstant, strength of the inner ring 74 can be enhanced and the effectof minimizing the tolerable range of tilting the cap main body 7 to theaxis of the syringe 1 can be more surely exerted.

Further, a separation distance in a radial direction between the innerring 74 and the reduced diameter section 22 is, preferably, set largerthan a separation distance in a radial direction between the inner ring74 and the lock adapter 6. This allows the inner ring 74 to contact theinner circumferential portion of the lock adapter 6 before contactingthe outer circumferential portion of the reduced diameter section 22when the entire portion of the cap main body 7 is going to be tiltedrelative to the axis of the syringe 1. This prevents the inner ring 74from contacting the outer circumferential portion of the reduceddiameter section 22, thereby preventing the outer circumferentialportion of the reduced diameter section 22 from being damaged.

In the cap main body 7 having the above-described configuration, thesealing member 72 contacts the distal end opening 221 of the reduceddiameter section 22 in the mounted state. As a result, further movementin the proximal end direction is restricted.

Because the sealing member 72 is formed in the disk-like shape, thesealing member 72 contacts the distal end portion of the reduceddiameter section 22 in the mounted state. This prevents the sealingmember 72 from singly being mounted on the spout 20. Incidentally, theshape of the sealing member 72 is not limited to the disk-like shape andmay be a polygonal plate-like shape. Further, on the proximal endsurface of the plate-like sealing member 72, a projected portion to beinserted into the distal end opening 221 of the reduced diameter section22, and a recessed portion to receive the distal end portion of thereduced diameter section 22 may be formed. Incidentally, the aboveprojected portion and recessed portion are formed such that the sealingmember 72 is not singly mounted on the spout 20.

On the proximal end side of the cap main body 7, the ring-shapedmounting section 8 is disposed. The mounting section 8 is a member to bemounted on the outer circumferential portion 62 of the lock adapter 6.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the projections 81 are formed on theinner circumferential portion of the mounting section 8 in a projectingmanner. Further, preferably, a plurality of the projections 81 isprovided; according to the present embodiment, a pair of, namely, twoprojections 81 are provided. These projections 81 are located oppositeto each other interposing the axis of the mounting section 8. In themounted state, one of the pair of projections 81 is inserted into one ofthe proximal end side of the grooves 63 of the lock adapter 6, and theother projection 81 is inserted into the other of the proximal end sideof grooves 63 of the lock adapter 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the breaking section 9 is provided between thecap main body 7 and the mounting section 8. In the mounted state, thebreaking section 9 links a proximal end 713 of the base portion 71 ofthe cap main body 7 with a distal end 83 of the mounting section 8.Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, when unsealing is executed,more specifically, when the cap main body 7 and the mounting section 8are relatively rotated around the axis of the syringe 1 (reduceddiameter section 22) in opposite directions, the breaking section 9 isbroken because applied stress exceeds breaking limit. With thisbreakage, the link between the cap main body 7 and the mounting section8 is released.

The breaking section 9 is formed of a plurality of thin portions 91disposed intermittently around the axis of the cap 5 (mounting section8). This makes the breaking section 9 to be easily breakable at the timeof unsealing.

Incidentally, the number of the thin portions 91 depends on the size andmaterial of the cap 5, but, preferably from two to eight thin portions91, for example, and more preferably, four to six.

In addition, the thickness of each of the thin portions 91 also dependson the size and the material of the cap 5, but preferably, a thicknessof 0.1 to 2.0 mm, for example, and more preferably 0.2 to 0.6 mm.

Incidentally, the material constituting the cap 5 (exclusive of thesealing member 72) is not particularly limited, but for example, thematerial same as the material constituting the outer tube 2 and theplunger 4 may be used. In this case, at the time of manufacturing thecap 5, it is possible to integrally form the cap main body 7 (exclusiveof the sealing member 72), the mounting section 8, and the breakingsection 9.

In addition, the material constituting the sealing member 72 is notspecifically limited, but, for example, the material same as thematerial constituting the gasket 3 may be used.

Now, the process from the mounted state to the unsealed state of the cap5 by rotating the same will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the syringe 1 is in the unusedstate, the cap 5 is mounted on the outer tube 2 (spout 20), and thereduced diameter section 22 of the outer tube 2 is sealed by the sealingmember 72 in a liquid-tight manner.

Further, in this state, each of the projections 81 of the mountingsection 8 of the cap 5 is respectively positioned at the proximal endside of each of the grooves 63 of the lock adapter 6 (see FIG. 4), andeach of the projections 67 of the lock adapter 6 is inserted into eachof the grooves 82 of the mounting section 8 (see FIG. 3). This preventsthe cap 5 from rotating around the axis with respect to the lock adapter6. Further, each of the projections 61 of the lock adapter 6 is insertedinto each of the recessed portions 222 of the outer tube 2. Thisprevents the lock adapter 6 from rotating around the axis of the outertube 2. With the above-described configuration, the cap 5 is preventedfrom rotating around the axis of the outer tube 2.

Further, while the outer tube 2 is gripped by one hand and the gripsection 73 of the cap 5 is gripped by the other hand, and the outer tubeand the grip section are rotated around the axis of the outer tube 2 indirections opposite to each other. By this rotation, the respective thinportions 91 are twisted. Then, the respective thin portions 91 finallybreak when the applied stress exceeds the breaking limit (see FIGS. 5and 6). As a result, the cap main body 7 can be separated, namely,disengaged from the mounting section 8, thereby unsealing the syringe 1.

In addition, when the cap main body 7 is separated, the female screw 65of the lock adapter 6 of the outer tube 2 is exposed (see FIG. 6).Therefore, the lock adapter 6 can be screw-engaged with the matingmember.

Thus, since the cap main body 7 and the mounting section 8 are linkedvia the respective thin portions 91 in the syringe 1, it is not possibleto link the cap main body 7 with the mounting section 8 again when therespective thin portions 91 are broken. Further, as described above, inthe mounted state, the inner ring 74 is positioned between the reduceddiameter section 22 of the outer tube 2 and the lock adapter 6 in aloosely-fitted state, and also the outer ring 75 is positioned outsidethe lock adapter 6 in the loosely-fitted state. Additionally, asdescribed above, in the mounted state, the sealing member 72 contactsthe distal end portion of the reduced diameter section 22 and configurednot to be fitted to the spout 20. In other words, the cap main body 7 isconfigured not to be fitted to the spout 20. Based on above, mounting(recapping) the cap main body 7 again is surely prevented even when anattempt is made to mount the cap main body 7 on the spout 20 afterbreakage.

Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm that the syringe 1 hasalready been unsealed. Accordingly, the syringe 1 is excellent intamperproofness (property in which a fact that the syringe 1 has oncebeen put into the usable state can be confirmed later), and erroneoususe of the syringe 1 which has been once unsealed is surely avoided.Moreover, since the recapping is prevented, even when the unsealedsyringe 1 is tampered with, use of the tampered syringe 1 by mistake canbe surely prevented.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views illustrating positional relationships between alock adapter of a syringe outer tube and a mounting section of a cap ina process of unsealing operation at a syringe according to an embodimentof the present invention (second embodiment).

Now, the second embodiment of the syringe according to the presentinvention will be described below with reference to the drawings.However, description will be given focusing on differences from theabove-described embodiment, and description for the same matters samewill be omitted.

The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except forhaving a different configuration in the lock adapter.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, according to the present embodiment,each of grooves 63 is formed on a more proximal end side than a crestportion 630 of an outer circumferential portion 62 of the lock adapter6. In a mounted state, each of projections 81 of a mounting section 8 ofa cap 5 is inserted into each of the grooves 63.

Incidentally, each of the grooves 63 may be respectively formed on anentire portion of the outer circumferential portion 62 of the lockadapter 6; however, according to this exemplary configuration, thegrooves are formed on only a part of the outer circumferential portion62 in a circumferential direction. In the following, one groove 63 willbe representatively described because each of the grooves 63 has thesame configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 (also in FIG. 8), the groove 63 can be dividedinto an inclined section 631 and a perpendicular section 632continuously formed at the distal end of the inclined section 631. Theinclined section 631 is a portion where a side wall of the groove 63 isinclined to an axis of the lock adapter 6. On the other hand, theperpendicular section 632 is a portion where the side wall of the groove63 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the lockadapter 6, namely, along a circumferential direction of the outercircumferential portion 62 of the lock adapter 6.

Further, a groove 64 is formed on the outer circumferential portion 62of the lock adapter 6 at a distal end side of the perpendicular section632 along the axial direction of the lock adapter 6. When the cap 5 ispushed into an outer tube 2 from a distal end side at the time ofmounting the cap 5 on a spout 20 of the outer tube 2, the projection 81of the mounting section 8 is first inserted into the groove 64, and nextrides over a portion (crest portion 630) between the groove 64 and theperpendicular section 632 to be inserted into the perpendicular section632.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in a state before unsealing the cap 5, each ofthe projection 81 is individually positioned at the perpendicularsection 632 of the corresponding groove 63. From this state, when thecap main body 7 is rotated around the axis of the outer tube 2,rotational force is also transmitted to the mounting section 8 via eachof thin portions 91 and causing each of the projections 81 of themounting section 8 to move from the perpendicular section 632 to theinclined section 631 as illustrated in FIG. 8. In the case where the capmain body is continuously rotated further, each of the projections 81 ofthe mounting section 8 moves along the inclined section 631. With thismovement, the mounting section 8 is gradually displaced in the proximalend direction, and also each of the thin portions 91 is gradually pulledin the same direction. Further, each of the thin portions 91 finally isbroken when applied stress exceeds a breaking limit. As a result, thecap main body 7 can be separated, namely, disengaged from the mountingsection 8, thereby unsealing a syringe 1.

As described above, in the cap 5, the pair of projections 81 is locatedopposing each other interposing the axis of the mounting section 8, andthe pair of grooves 63 is formed corresponding to the pair ofprojections 81 located in this manner. With this configuration, rotatingoperation can be stably performed when the cap 5 is rotated with respectto the outer tube 2.

In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the projections 81of the mounting section 8 can be moved from the perpendicular section632 to the inclined section 631 of the groove 63, but movement in theopposite direction is restricted. This restricts the direction of therotating operation, thereby ensuring that the rotating operation is in acorrect direction, namely, in an unsealing direction.

Further, as described above, each of the grooves 63 of the lock adapter6 of the outer tube 2 is formed on a part of the outer circumferentialportion 62 in the circumferential direction. In this configuration, themounting section 8 can be quickly pushed in the proximal end directionand separated from the cap main body 7 at the time of the rotatingoperation, compared to a case where, for example, each of the grooves 63is formed on an entire circumference of the outer circumferentialportion 62. Consequently, it becomes easy to unseal the syringe 1.

While embodiments of the syringe according to the present invention havebeen described above with reference to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, the invention is not limited thereto, and each of thecomponents of the syringe can be replaced by an arbitrary configurationthat can exhibit the equivalent function. Further, arbitrary constituentelements may be added.

In addition, embodiments of the syringe according to the presentinvention may be obtained by arbitrarily combining two or moreconstituent elements (characteristic features) of the above-describedembodiments.

Further, the ring portion includes the inner ring and the outer ringaccording to the above-described embodiments, but the configuration ofthe ring portion is not limited thereto and may include only one of theinner ring and the outer ring. In the case where the outer ring isomitted, the inner ring contacts the outer circumferential portion ofthe reduced diameter section of the syringe outer tube, and the innercircumferential portion of the lock adapter, thereby preventing the capmain body from unnecessary inclination. As a result, undesirablebreakage of the breaking section can be avoided. Further, in the casewhere the inner ring is omitted, the outer ring contacts the outercircumferential portion of the lock adapter, thereby preventing the capmain body from unnecessary inclination. As a result, undesirablebreakage of the breaking section can be avoided.

Additionally, the number of ribs constituting the proximal end directionmovement restricting section is two according to the first embodiment,but the number thereof is not limited thereto, and may be one, or threeor more.

What is claimed is:
 1. A syringe comprising: a syringe outer tubecomprising: a tubular-shaped outer tube main body configured to befilled with a liquid, a reduced diameter section projecting from adistal end of the outer tube main body, and having a distal end openingthat is configured to discharge the liquid from the outer tube main bodythrough the reduced diameter section, and a lock adapter concentricallydisposed at an outer circumferential portion of the reduced diametersection and configured to be fixed to a mating member; and a cap mountedon the syringe outer tube and comprising: a cap main body sealing thereduced diameter section in a liquid-tight manner, the cap main bodycomprising: a base portion including an opening, and a projectionprojecting into the opening, and a sealing member disposed in theopening, wherein the projection of the base portion contacts a distalend surface of the sealing member; wherein a proximal end surface of thesealing member contacts a distal end surface of the reduced diametersection in a liquid-tight manner and includes: a contact portion thatcontacts the distal end surface of the reduced diameter section, and acentral portion enclosed by the contact portion; and wherein the sealingmember is compressed between the projection of the base portion and thedistal end surface of the reduced diameter section such that the contactportion of the proximal end surface of the sealing member is depressedin a distal direction and such that the central portion of the proximalend surface of the sealing member is bulged in a proximal direction andso as to extend into the reduced diameter section via the distal endopening of the reduced diameter section.
 2. The syringe according toclaim 1, wherein the sealing member includes an outer peripheral edgeportion that projects outward beyond an outer peripheral portion of thedistal end surface of the reduced diameter section, and wherein aproximal end surface of the outer peripheral edge portion projectsproximal of the distal end surface of the reduced diameter section. 3.The syringe according to claim 1, wherein the cap main body furthercomprises an inner ring disposed between the reduced diameter sectionand the lock adapter in a loosely-fitted state.
 4. The syringe accordingto claim 1, wherein the cap main body further comprises an inner ringdisposed between the reduced diameter section and the lock adapter suchthat a clearance is formed between the reduced diameter section and theinner ring.
 5. The syringe according to claim 3, wherein, the inner ringof the cap main body extends to a location proximate a proximal end ofthe lock adapter.
 6. The syringe according to claim 4, wherein the innerring of the cap main body extends to a location proximate a proximal endof the lock adapter.
 7. The syringe according to claim 1, wherein thecap further comprises a ring-shaped mounting section configured to bemounted on the lock adapter.
 8. A kit comprising: a syringe outer tubecomprising: a tubular-shaped outer tube main body configured to befilled with a liquid, a reduced diameter section projecting from adistal end of the outer tube main body, and having a distal end openingthat is configured to discharge the liquid from the outer tube main bodythrough the reduced diameter section, and a lock adapter concentricallydisposed at an outer circumferential portion of the reduced diametersection and configured to be fixed to a mating member; and a capconfigured to be mounted on the syringe outer tube and comprising: a capmain body structured to seal the reduced diameter section in aliquid-tight manner when the cap is mounted on the syringe outer tube,the cap main body comprising: a base portion including an opening, and aprojection projecting into the opening, and a sealing member disposed inthe opening, wherein the projection of the base portion contacts adistal end surface of the sealing member when the cap is mounted on thesyringe outer tube; wherein a proximal end surface of the sealing membercontacts a distal end surface of the reduced diameter section in aliquid-tight manner when the cap is mounted on the syringe outer tube,and includes: a contact portion that contacts the distal end surface ofthe reduced diameter section when the cap is mounted on the syringeouter tube, and a central portion enclosed by the contact portion; andwherein, when the cap is mounted on the syringe outer tube, the sealingmember is compressed between the projection of the base portion and thedistal end surface of the reduced diameter section such that the contactportion of the proximal end surface of the sealing member is depressedin a distal direction and such that the central portion of the proximalend surface of the sealing member is bulged in a proximal direction andso as to extend into the reduced diameter section via the distal endopening of the reduced diameter section.
 9. The kit according to claim8, wherein the sealing member includes an outer peripheral edge portionthat projects outward beyond an outer peripheral portion of the distalend surface of the reduced diameter section when the cap is mounted onthe syringe outer tube, and wherein a proximal end surface of the outerperipheral edge portion projects proximal of the distal end surface ofthe reduced diameter section when the cap is mounted on the syringeouter tube.
 10. The syringe according to claim 8, wherein the cap mainbody further comprises an inner ring disposed between the reduceddiameter section and the lock adapter in a loosely-fitted state when thecap is mounted on the syringe outer tube.
 11. The syringe according toclaim 8, wherein the cap main body further comprises an inner ringdisposed between the reduced diameter section and the lock adapter suchthat a clearance is formed between the reduced diameter section and theinner ring when the cap is mounted on the syringe outer tube.
 12. Thesyringe according to claim 10, wherein, the inner ring of the cap mainbody extends to a location proximate a proximal end of the lock adapterwhen the cap is mounted on the syringe outer tube.
 13. The syringeaccording to claim 11, wherein the inner ring of the cap main bodyextends to a location proximate a proximal end of the lock adapter whenthe cap is mounted on the syringe outer tube.
 14. The syringe accordingto claim 8, wherein the cap further comprises a ring-shaped mountingsection configured to be mounted on the lock adapter when the cap ismounted on the syringe outer tube.
 15. A method of sealing a distal endopening of a syringe outer tube with a cap, the method comprising:providing a syringe comprising: a syringe outer tube comprising: atubular-shaped outer tube main body configured to be filled with aliquid, a reduced diameter section projecting from a distal end of theouter tube main body, and having a distal end opening that is configuredto discharge the liquid from the outer tube main body through thereduced diameter section, and a lock adapter concentrically disposed atan outer circumferential portion of the reduced diameter section andconfigured to be fixed to a mating member; and providing a capcomprising: a cap main body comprising: a base portion including anopening, and a projection projecting into the opening, and a sealingmember disposed in the opening, mounting the cap on the syringe suchthat: the cap main body seals the reduced diameter section in aliquid-tight manner, the projection of the base portion contacts adistal end surface of the sealing member; a proximal end surface of thesealing member contacts a distal end surface of the reduced diametersection in a liquid-tight manner and includes: a contact portion thatcontacts the distal end surface of the reduced diameter section, and acentral portion enclosed by the contact portion; and the sealing memberis compressed between the projection of the base portion and the distalend surface of the reduced diameter section such that the contactportion of the proximal end surface of the sealing member is depressedin a distal direction and such that the central portion of the proximalend surface of the sealing member is bulged in a proximal direction andso as to extend into the reduced diameter section via the distal endopening of the reduced diameter section.